The first year of the mandatory textile collection in Slovakia has brought several practical problems
Municipalities received duties but not sufficient support
The legislation introduced the obligation to ensure textile collection for all municipalities, however, without clearly set financing, infrastructure, or a unified methodology. In practice, many municipalities are dealing with questions of how to operate the system efficiently, where to transport the textile, and who will process it further.
The main problem remains the lack of processing capacity. Sorting and recycling facilities are not prepared for the growing volume of collected textiles, and their availability is regionally limited.
Vandalism complicates the functioning of the system
Another problem is vandalism and the misuse of collection containers. Damaging containers, illegal extraction of content, or throwing in unsuitable waste reduce the quality of the collected material and, at the same time, increase the costs of the collection companies.
Without extended producer responsibility, the system will be unsustainable
The discussion is increasingly focusing on the need to introduce an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system in the textile sector. Without the involvement of manufacturers and importers in the financing of collection and recycling, the entire system may be unsustainable for municipalities in the long term.
